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versatile
5 dictionary results for: versatile
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ver·sa·tile 
[vur-suh-tl or, especially Brit., -tahyl] Pronunciation Key
[vur-suh-tl or, especially Brit., -tahyl] Pronunciation Key –adjective
| 1. | capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.: a versatile writer. |
| 2. | having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool. |
| 3. | Botany. attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther. |
| 4. | Zoology. turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe. |
| 5. | variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| ver·sa·tile
(vûr'sə-təl, -tīl') Pronunciation Key
adj.
[Latin versātilis, from versātus, past participle of versāre, to turn; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.] ver'sa·tile·ly adv., ver'sa·til'i·ty (-tĭl'ĭ-tē), ver'sa·tile·ness (-təl-nĭs, -tīl'-) n. Synonyms: These adjectives mean having many aspects, uses, or abilities: a versatile writer; an all-around athlete; a many-sided subject; a multifaceted undertaking; multifarious interests. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
versatile
versatile
1605, from L. versatilis "turning, revolving, moving, capable of turning to varied subjects or tasks," from pp. stem of versare "keep turning, be engaged in something, turn over in the mind," frequentative of vertere "to turn" (see versus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| versatile | |
adjective | |
| 1. | having great diversity or variety; "his various achievements are impressive"; "his vast and versatile erudition" |
| 2. | changeable or inconstant; "versatile moods" |
| 3. | competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another; "a versatile writer" |
| 4. | able to move freely in all directions; "an owl's versatile toe can move backward and forward"; "an insect's versatile antennae can move up and down or laterally"; "a versatile anther of a flower moves freely in the wind" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Versatile
Ver"sa*tile\, a. [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.]1. Capable of being turned round. --Harte. 2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition. 3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. --Macaulay. 4. (Nat. Hist.) Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird. -- Ver"sa*tile*ly, adv. -- -- Ver"sa*tile*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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